A team of pupils from Buile Hill High School in Salford survived a gruelling challenge to make the Grand Final of Dragons Den at Manchester Airport.
Between them they helped to raise profits of £14,050 which will be split between three hospices including St Ann’s in Little Hulton.
The competition challenged students to develop a Christmas present for family or friends which could be sold for £5 or less.
Buile Hill won most innovative idea for their glass cheese boards which contained flowers and herbs.
Each school team was awarded up to £100 after an initial pitch of their product to the Dragons, made up of businessmen and women from John Lewis, Waitrose and the Airport Chaplaincy.
Products created included homemade chocolates; macaroons, ‘night before Christmas’ packs; Christmas decorations and snowman door stops.
The Dragons’ Den scheme has been running since 2009 and £48,500 has been raised during that time.
It is run by the Manchester Airport Community Network, which is made-up of airport employers working together to encourage and support social and economic regeneration in communities surrounding the airport.
Businesses that are members of the Network provided mentors to each of the participating schools, supporting the teams and encouraging them throughout the process, along with the initial £100 start-up loan.
The teams set themselves up as a virtual business; designing their gifts, working out how to make them, buying materials, marketing and selling their items and producing accounts.
Wendy Sinfield, Community Relations Manager at Manchester Airport, said: “The Dragons’ Den Challenge develops many skills that will be needed by students as they progress in their journey to the workplace.
“There were some really fabulous ideas and everyone who took part made a significant contribution in completing the challenge and raising thousands of pounds for local charities.
“Although there had to be an overall winner selected, the standard was exceptionally high and on behalf of the Airport Community Network, I hope that all of the students who took part go away having learned a lot about business in a uniquely fun and interactive way.”
Main image: Buile Hill win best entrepreneurial idea with Adam Jupp & John Besdon
